BRIDGETOWN: Defending champions England defeated the United States by ten wickets on Sunday in his home country of Barbados. Chris Jordan claimed four wickets in five deliveries, including the third hat-trick of the T20 World Cup.
The 35-year-old all-rounder, who was raised on the Caribbean island, brilliantly demonstrated why he was called up for this game by scoring 4-10 in 2.5 overs as the US was bowled out for 115 runs.
Then, with an unbeaten 83, which included five sixes in an over from Harmeet Singh, England captain Jos Buttler led from the front in a furious chase that saw his team reach their target in only 9.4 overs.
Regardless of the result of the last Group Two Super Eights match between co-hosts the West Indies and South Africa in Antigua and any related net run-rate computations, England’s rapid victory guaranteed a spot in the final four.
With just 38 balls to work with, including six fours and seven sixes, Buttler was not the only player to claim a hat-trick in this tournament; Australia’s Pat Cummins became the first bowler from England to do so in a men’s T20 international, and he had already done so against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
“Amazing feeling, but more importantly, it’s always nice to restrict USA and to do it in a special place like this,” Jordan remarked. “Nice to get it on target this time, been on a hat-trick a few times.”
Buttler went on, “We know what CJ (Chris Jordan) can do with the ball, so I wanted to bring him back in to add a little depth to the batting.” He did it with incredible skill, and a World Cup hat-trick is an amazing feat.
Regarding his own performance, Buttler stated: “It’s crucial for me to maintain this form into the semifinals.” I feel like I’m hitting the ball well, and it’s good to have that confidence. I’ve been feeling good all year.
Jordan bowled the 19th over with the United States at 115-6. The United States was one of the surprise packages of the event, having defeated Pakistan to go to the second round.
Harry Brook was out for 29, as Corey Anderson hit a quick, low full toss to him at long-on with his first ball of the over.
After two balls, Ali Khan was clean bowled by pacer Jordan, who removed the off-stump from the ground, for a duck.
The following ball saw Nosthush Kenjige out for a plumb lbw. Jordan then bowled Saurabh Netravalkar between the bat and the pad to remove the final man’s middle stump, completing his hat-trick and ending the innings.
At the conclusion of the six-over powerplay, the United States was in a reasonably good position at 48-2.
However, in a meager 2-13 haul, leg-spinner Adil Rashid then dismissed Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar, whose 30 was the highest score of the innings, with two superb googlies.
England began their reply knowing that, come what may, a victory in 17.4 overs would guarantee their place in the semi-finals.
Buttler gave Mumbai-born left-arm spinner Harmeet a warning early on with an incredible 104-meter six, and that was the last time his bat was fully unleashed.
Now, England will have to wait a full day to find out who their opponents are in the semi-final.
